Product Description

Out of Your Townie Mind tells city dwellers who are thinking of moving out to the country what it's really like. Everyone who wants to make the move has a dream, whether it's going for long walks, keeping chickens or sending the kids to a better school. This book takes the top rural dreams that townies have (based on a survey of over 100 aspiring country dwellers) and explains the reality behind them. Country living may still be a tempting option, but it's not all roses round the door. Out of Your Townie Mind sets out the pitfalls and problems so that readers can prepare themselves for the reality of country life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #138731 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 181 pages

Review
"Richard Craze yanks the rose-tinted spectacles from the rural idyll and tramples them in the mud. The result is cheeky but charming - a kind of Feel-the-Fear-But-Do-It-Anyway for wannabe downshifters." Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall "In these days when the rural voice is demanding to be heard and 'town versus countryside' issues make headline news, Richard Craze's perceptive examination of the townie exodus into the green acres could not be more timely." John Craven (Presenter BBC1 Country File) "You've recently moved to the country and your old London friends want to come for the weekend. Sunday roast, long walks, late nights by an open fire. What could be better? Er, quite a lot actually, as Richard Craze explains. Your dream of rural bliss can quickly turn into a nightmare if you misjudge the realities of country life. Ex-townie Richard Craze offers some knowing words of advice." Daily Telegraph "This enterprising and helpful book intended for those who are thinking of moving to the country has sprung from an extensive survey the author carried out to discover what the top fantasies of those wishing to move out are, as well as what those who have made the transition think of it now - and what they wish they had done differently, if anything. Craze offers extremely useful advice aimed at enabling people to find the right approach to country living, listing the downsides as well as the advantages, so they can avoid beating a humiliating retreat when the mud overwhelms them." Daily Mail "That cottage with roses round the door may be more of a nightmare than a dream. According to Richard Craze, author of Out of Your Townie Mind: The Reality Behind the Dream of Country Living, many who head for sunlit fields have unrealistic expectations." Financial Times "So, you're fed up of city living and have decided to head to the rural idyll. Don't do it until you've read this book! Richard Craze promises to reveal the 'reality behind the dream of country living,' and he certainly delivers." Grand Designs "Thousands do escape the rat race every year but for some expectations just aren't met. Richard Craze may look like the archetypal village squire but his wellies haven't always fitted so comfortably. Richard's new book is about how to make the move successfully and it's all about knowing what to expect. Do know what you want and what you don't want, and the dream could turn into reality." BBC1 Breakfast News

From the Inside Flap
Financial Times, Weekend review, Nov 8/9 2003
But that cottage with roses round the door may be more of a nightmare than a dream. According to Richard Craze, author of Out of Your Townie Mind: The Reality Behind the Dream of Country Living, many who head for sunlit fields have unrealistic expectations. "People think that all the things that are personally wrong will evaporate once they move to the country," he said. "But if you don’t go for long walks in the town – where there are plenty of parks and green spaces – what makes you think you’re going to go for long walks in the country? If you’re lazy in the town, you’ll be just as lazy in the country. It won’t make you a better person."

About the Author
Richard Craze is a professional writer whose many books include The Voice of Tobacco, published by White Ladder Press.

Customer Reviews

Irritating style and pessimistic
This is a highly pessimistic book that goes out of its way to portray living in the countryside as nothing short of a hellish existence for ex-townies. Craze's sneering tone of voice and I'm-so-smart attitude really starts to grate after the first couple of chapters. It's also a wonder that any of his neighbours haven't shunned him, given the way he talks about village folk. They are portrayed as backward hicks with little culture and primitive, nosey ways.

On the plus side, there are a few points in this book that might be worth considering for townies wanting to move to the country. But after reading Out of Your Townie Mind you might decide not to bother. Perhaps that's the point, and Craze wants to keep it all to himself.

a townie survival guide
Just finished reading this amusing, informative and interesting book. As a bumpkin who became a townie it brings back memories of how we used to sneer at townies. Now my townie friends are migrating to the country this is going at the top of my gift list to make sure they are prepared for what's in store. Top marks to Mr Craze.

A very funny book indeed
I was given this book as a gift by a friend because I have been on and on about moving to the countryside for years but never done it. I laughed a lot. All my dreams were in this book and all the reasons why they would go wrong. I shall make the move one day - no really I shall - and this book will help me a lot. As well as being useful it is also very funny indeed. I hadn't come across this author before but I'm checking out his other books now as he can obviously write. It is a very funny book.